Lasting machine



A ril 29, 1941.

K. ENGEL ETAL LASTING MACHINE Filed Jan; 25, 1940 Figl 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Ava/EH5 April 29, 1941. ENGEL j- 2,239,815

LASTIHG MACHINE Filed Jan. 25, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2' Patented Apr. 29, 1941 pro "rs LASTING IHACHINE Karl Engel, Swampscott, and Charles S. Kinney,

Middleton, Mass, assignors to United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Borough of Flcmington,

' N. 1., a corporation of New Jersey Application January 25, 1940, Serial No. 315,511

22 Claims.

This invention relates to machines for operating upon shoes, and is herein illustrated in its application to a machine particularly adapted for use in lasting the foreparts of shoe uppers comprising a plurality of straps.

In the manufacture of shoes of the abov mentioned type, it has heretofore frequently been the practice to assemble the forepart of the upper, i. e., the straps, with an insole on a last and to perform the forepart-lasting operation manually by tensioning each strap over the last while positioning it in proper relation to the last and then laying its marginal portion upon the insole and fastening it to the insole either by the use of an adhesive between the marginal portion of the strap and the insole or by a metallic fastening M It is an object of the present invention to provide a machine for lasting the foreparts of shoes of the above-mentioned type which will be simple in construction, efficient in operation and I by the use of which the foreparts of the shoes may be lasted in a single operation, thereby speeding up the production of such shoes and effecting economies in the cost of their manufac-. ture. with a feature of the invention, there is provided a novel organization of means for clamping the marginal portions of the straps and for tensioning them over a last in response to relative movement of the last and the clamping mean in a direction heightwise of the last, and wipers spaced similarly to the straps about the forepart of the upper for laying the marginal portions of the straps inwardly over an insole on the last. In the illustrated. machine, there is provided a support for the marginal portions of the straps comprising a flat horizontal plate having formed therein a last-receiving opening shaped to correspond substantially to the edge curvature of the bottom face of the forepart of a last of the style to be operated upon. The Wipers are spaced about this opening in accordance with the arrangement of the straps and by engagement with the outer edge faces of the straps act to locate the upper in predetermined lengthwise and widthwise relation to the last-receiving opening. Carriers are provided for operating the wipers, the carriers being movable toward the last-receiving opening in directions substantially normal to its edge curvature, and mounted on each carrier is a spring-operated clamping member, the clamping members being arranged to clamp the marginal portions of the straps outspread over the supporting plate with the upper located by the wipers. Aholddown is provided for forcing a last For the purpose in View and in accordance into the clamped upper to tension the straps and to position the last, in operative relation to the wipers, and in accordance with a further feature there is provided a flexible lasting apron secured to the supporting plate and arranged to extend across. the last-receiving opening; the flexible apron acting in response to depression of the last to Work the straps by frictional engagement therewith toward the bottom face of the last and to hold them conformed tightly to the contour of the last against displacement relatively to one another during the overwiping operation. As a further feature, there is provided means for progressively increasing the pressure of the wipers on the marginal portions of the straps during the inward movements of the wipers, thus insuring that the marginal portions of the straps will be pressed flat upon the insole and also rendering the wipers more effective to force the marginal portions of the straps firmly into adhering relation to the insole if cement is used to secure the straps in lasted position.

The above and further features of the invention, including various novel details of construction and combinations of parts, will now be more particularly described by reference to the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in section of a machine in which the invention is embodied, showing the positions of the parts at the end of the upper-tensioning opera- .tion;

Fig, 2 is a plan view of the machine shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line LIE-J11 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view in end elevation looking in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a shoe after it has been operated upon. by the machine.

The illustrated machine comprises a base it] the upper portion of which is in the form of a flat horizontal plate I2 provided with an opening M (Fig. 2) having substantially the same curvature as the edge of the bottom face of the forepart of a last of the style to be operated upon, the opening l4 being preferably of such size as to accommodate the largest last of that style and the upper materials to be lasted. Secured to the plate l2 by a shim l6, shaped similarly to the opening M, and by screws 48 is a flexible elastic apron 2d, preferably rubber, arranged to extend across the opening M, The upper surface of the shim I6 is flush with the upper face 22 of the late I2, the shim l6 and the plate l2 serving as a support for the marginal portions of straps 24, 23, and 28 which, in the type of shoe herein illustrated, form substantially the whole of the forepart of the shoe upper. Spaced about the opening I4 in the plate I2 are a plurality of members which, as more particularly hereinafter described, act as gages to assist in determining the correct position of the upper relatively to the opening I4 and as wipers to wipe the marginal portions of the straps 24, 23, and 28 inwardly over an insole on a last. These members comprise a toe wiper 33 opposite the toe strap 24 of the upper, and side wipers 32 opposite the side straps 23 and 28, the side wipers being preferably long enough to act on the marginal portions of the straps 26 and 28 along the opposite sides of the forepart and being spaced relatively to the toe wiper 33 around the toe end of the upper, similarly to the straps 24 and 26.

In the machine herein shown, the toe wiper 30 is mounted for movement toward the opening I4 into engagement with the outer edge face of the strap 24, and means is provided for clamping the margin of the strap 24 outspread on the shim I3 when the toe wiper is in predetermined relation to the opening I4, thus determining the correct lengthwise position of the upper relatively to the opening [4. The side wipers 32 are located initially in predetermined relation to the opening I4 and by engagement with the outer edge faces of the straps 23 and 28 determine the correct lateral position of the upper relatively to the opening I4, means more particularly hereinafter described being provided for clamping the marginal portions of the straps 26 and 28 outspread on the shim I3, with the upper in the correct lengthwise and widthwise position relatively to the opening I4. The toe and side wipers 30 and 32 are formed integral with, or are secured respectively to, carriers 34 and 36 which are slidably mounted in guideways 33 that are formed in the plate I2 and extend in directions substantially normal to the edge curvature of the opening I4. Each side carrier 33 (Fig. 3) is held in its outermost or retracted position with the side wiper 32 in predetermined relation to the opening I4 in the plate I2, determined by engagement of the carrier with an adjustable screw 40 threaded in a boss 42 in the plate I2, by means of a spring 44 connected at one end to a pin 43 in the carrier and at the other end to a pin 43 projecting from the plate I2, a locknut 50 being provided for holding the screw 40 in adjusted position. Pivotally connected to the outer end of the carrier 34 for the toe wiper (Fig. 1) is a rod 52 that extends rearwardly through an opening in the upper end of one arm 54 of a bell-crank lever 56 pivoted at 58 to the frame I0. Surrounding the rod 52 between the arm 54 and a nut and locknut 33 threaded on the outer end of the rod is a. spring 32 which tends to move the rod 52 and the carrier 34 rearwardly relatively to the arm 54 and to hold a nut and locknut 34 threaded on the rod in engagement with the opposite face of the arm 54. The bell-crank lever 56 has a forwardly extending arm 63 provided with an elongated slot 33 through which extends a pin carried by a short link '52 connected at its upper end by a pin 54 to crossbars 13 the opposite end portions of which are secured by taper pins I8 to vertical rods 83 one of which is shown in Fig. 3 and the other in Fig. 1. Each rod 30 is vertically movable in a bearing 32 formed in a ribbed portion 84 of the frame I3 and extends upwardly through an enlarged opening 83 (Fig. 3) in the plate I2 and an elongated slot 83 formed in one of the side carriers 36. Surrounding each rod between the rib 84 and the crossbars I6 is a spring that tends to uphold the rod with an adjustable collar 02 secured to the rod by a set screw 93 in engagement with the rib34. At its upper end each rod 80 is recessed to receive a cam plate 94 (Fig. 3) provided with an inwardly and upwardly inclined face 90, and extending through each rod and cam plate are pins 98 and 99.

The link I2 (Fig. 1) is provided with a central recess to receive a smallpulley I00 which is rotatably mounted on the pin I4. Secured at one end to a treadle I02 pivotally connected at I04 to the frame I0 is a cord I06 that extends upwardly and passes over the pulley I00 and thence downwardly and is connected at its opposite end to an eye-bolt I08 in the rib 84. It will be evident that as the treadle I02 is depressed by the operator the crossbars I3 and the vertical rods 80 are moved downwardly against the resistance of the springs 00, and in response to the downward movement of the crossbars 13 the bell-crank lever 53 is swung in a direction to impart inward movement to the carrier 34 and the toe wiper 30.

Pivotally connected at I I0 to the toe wiper carrier 34 is an upper clamping or gripping member I I2 provided with an upwardly extending portion H4 formed with a recess I16 to receive a spring II8 one end of which bears against an upwardly extending projection I20 on the carrier 34. At its opposite end the spring bears against a washer I22, the position of which in the recess IIB may be varied by adjustment of a screw I24 to vary the tension of the spring, a locknut I26 being provided for holding the screw in adjusted position. The spring II8 tends to swing the clamping member II2 toward the plate I2, and secured to the member I I2 by a screw I28 (Fig. 1) is a forwardly extending finger I30 which acts to hold the clamping member, against the resistance of the spring H8, in an elevated position when the carrier 34 is in its retracted position by engagement with a projection I32 formed on a substantially U-shaped member I34 that straddles the carrier and is secured to the plate I2 by screws I30 (Fig. 2). Substantially at the beginning of the inward movement of the carrier 34 the finger I30 is moved out of engagement with the projection I32. In order that the clamping member II2 will be released to the action of the spring IIB for movement into upper-clamping position only when the toe wiper 30 has been moved forwardly into a predetermined position relatively to the opening I4 in the plate I2, there is pivotally connected to the plate I2 at I38 (Fig. l) a pawl I40 that extends upwardly through a slot I42 in the carrier 34 into position to engage the upper-clamping face I44 of the member II 2. In the forward movement of the carrier 34, when the toe wiper 30 has been moved into predetermined relation to the opening I4, the clamping member H2 is released by the pawl I40 to the action of the spring I I8 for movement toward the plate I2 to clamp the marginal portion of the strap 24 outspread on the shim I6. A spring I 46 tends to hold the pawl I40 in the position shown in Fig. 1, with the pawl in engagement with a pin I48 in the plate I2. In the return of the parts to starting positions, the pawl is swung in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. l) by engagement of the clamping member H2 therewith until the projection I32 on the member I34 acts on the finger I30 to raise the clamping member II2 out of engagement with the pawl, thus permitting the spring I46 to return the pawl to the position shown in Fig. 1.

Pivotally connected at I50 to each of the side carriers 36 is an upper-clamping or gripping member I52 on which is formed above the pivot I59 (Fig. 3) an inwardly extending boss we provided with a recess I56 to receive a spring Iiiil bearing at one end against an upward projection IE!) on the carrier 33. At its opposite end the spring I58 bears against a washer I32, the position of which may be varied by adjustment of a screw I64 to vary the tension of the spring, a locknut I I56 being provided for holding the screw in adjusted position. The springs I58 tend to imp-art downward swinging movements to the clamping members I52 and to hold them, when the rods 80 are in their elevated positions, in engagement with the pins 98 that project out-, wardly at each side of the cam plates 54. As the rods 8i] are moved downwardly by depression of the treadle E2, the clamping members 552 are swung downwardly by the springs I58 which hold the clamping members in engagement with the pins 98 and substantially at the time in the inward movement of the toe carrier 3% when the clamping member I I2 is released by the pawl I ll! to the action of the spring IIB the pins 98 will have been lowered far enough to permit the clamping members I52 to engage the outspread margins of the straps 25 and 28. It will'be understood that by adjustment of the collars 92 on the rods all the he ightwise positions of the cam plates 94 and the pins 98 may be varied to vary the time in the inward movement of the toe carrier 34 when the clamping members I52 are moved into engagement with the margins of the straps 25 and 28. It will be understood also that by means of the screws t ll the side carriers 35 may be adjusted toward or from the opening I4 to vary the initial positions of the side wipers 32 to accommodate uppers of different sizes. Each clamping members I52 has formed therein an elongated slot I'ifi to provide clearance for the cam plates 94 as the rods 83 are moved downwardly in response to further depression of the treadle I32 to cause the pin 98 to release the clamping members I 52 fully to the action of the springs I62 and the cam plates 94 to impart inward movements to the side carriers 36, as more particularly hereinafter described.

Secured to the top plate I2 by screws I'I2 (Fig. 2) is a bracket I'M bored to receive a vertical rod IE6 to the upper end of which is secured by a set screw I78 an inwardly extending arm ISII to which there is pivotally connected a holddown I82 for engaging the bottom face of an insole on the last. The rod I 76 is held against turning movement in the bracket I'M by means of a screw I84 (Fig. 1) the reduced end portion of which extends into a vertical slot I 86 in. the rod. and pivotally connected to the bracket I'M at $88 is a hand lever I9!) connected by a link I32 to the arm I88. Surrounding the rod I75 (Fig. 1) between the arm !80 and the bracket I'M is a spring I at that tends to hold the arm and the holddown I82 initially raised.

With the marginal portions of the straps 2d, 2 5, and 23 of an inverted upper supported on the plate I2, the operator by depression of the treadle Hi2 moves the toe carrier 34 inwardly far enough to cause the pawl MI) to release the clamping member H2 to the action of the spring I28 to clamp the marginal portion of the strap 24 outspread on the plate I2. At this time the toe wiper 30 is in engagement with the outer edge face of the strap 24 and is positioned in such relation to the opening I4 as to insure that the proper width of a lasting allowance will be provided for the strap. The upper is thus positioned in proper lengthwise relation to the opening I l. At time also the marginal portions of the straps 2t and 28 are pressed on lightly by the side clamping members I52, thus permitting the operator to shift the upper laterally of the opening it, if necessary, to position the outer edge faces of the straps 2t and 28 in engagement with the edge faces of the side wipers 32 which up to this time remain in their initial adjusted positions. Preferably and as shown, the edge faces of the side Wipers 32 are curved similarly to the curvatures of the opposite side portions of the opening it to assist in positioning the upper in proper widthwiserelation to the opening. By slight further downward movement of the treadle N2, the operator will cause the side clamping members I52 to be released fully to the action of their operating springs I58 and the inclined tien or" the wipers.

faces as of the cam plates 84 to engage similarly inclined faces I on the side carriers 36. The operator will then position a last L in proper relation to the opening I l and by means of the hand lever IQli will move the holddown I82 into engagement with the bottom face of an insole S on the last and depress the'last relatively to the piate i2 and the clamping members H2 and I52 to tension the upper and to position the last with the bottom face of the insole substantialiy in the plane of the wipers. As the last is thus moved downwardly, the apron 2E3, which extends across the top of the forepart of the last and upper, is tensioned and acts by frictional engagement with the upper to work it upwardly toward the bottom face of the last and to con form the upper tightly to the contour of the forepart of the last. W'ith'the last held by the holddown E82 in proper relation to the toe and side wipers, the treadle I82 is further depressed by the operator to move the toe carrier 34 farther inwardly, the side carriers 3% being moved inwardly at the same time as the toe carrier by the action of the inclined faces 95 of the cam plates at on the carriers The toe and side wipers 3d, 32 are accordingly moved inwardly over'the bottom of the last, the clamping members l i2 and I52 moving inwardly with the wipers while yielding against the resistance of their operating springs to release the upper to the ac- The marginal portions of the traps 2e, fit, and 2d are thus laid inwardly over the insole. and in order progressively to increase the pressure of the wipers on the marginal portions of the straps during the latter portion of the inward movements of the wipers, there is pivotally connected at I98 (Fig. 1) to a boss 2% depending from the plate !2 a lever 23? carrying at one end a member 295 shaped to apply pressure to the shoe through the apron 2G in a location. opposite the top of the toe end of the shoe. lever has a rearwardly extending arm 2 provided with an enlarged opening through which extends a rod 258 connected at its lower end to the treadle I132. Surrounding the rod between the arm 2% and an adjustable nut ZIIF threaded on the upper end of the rod, is a spr ng 562 which acts in response to depression of the treadle N32 to swing the lever N2 in adirection to move the member 2554 upwardly. The construction and arrangement of the parts is such that, as the toe carrier is moved inwardly far enough to cause the pawl MB to release the toe clamping member H2 to the action of its spring H8 by depression of the treadle I02, the member 204 is moved upwardly substantially into engagement with the apron 20 in a location onposite the top of the toe end of the shoe. In response to further depression of the treadle to operate the toe and side wipers 3, 32 to lay the marginal portion of the upper straps inwardly over the insole, the tension of the spring 2l2 is progressively increased. It will be understood that, as the wipers 30, 32 move inwardly over the edge of the last bottom, the last and shoe are depressed by the wipers against the resistance of the apron 20 and the spring 2i2 an amount determined by the thickness of the upper materials, the increasing tension of the spring 2 i 2 acting through the members 264 progressively to increase the pressure of the wipers on the margins of the straps during the inward movements of the wipers. If desired, the operator may release the hand lever I90 to permit the spring I94 to move the holddown I82 upwardly out of engagement with the insole after the toe and side wipers have been moved inwardly over the edge of the insole. It is contemplated that the marginal portions of the straps 24, 25, and 28 will be fastened in lasted relation to the insole by an adhesive which will have been previously applied to those portions of the margin of the insole over which the margins of the straps are laid by the wipers and, if desired, also to the margins of the straps. Accordingly, after the wipers 3B, 32 have completed their inward movements, the operator may hold the treadle I02 depressed with the marginal portions of the straps pressed hard against the insole until the cement has set sufficiently to hold the straps in lasted positions, after which the treadle is released to permit the parts to return to their initial positions.

Having described the invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a machine for lasting the foreparts of shoe uppers comprising a plurality of straps, means for clamping the marginal portions of the straps at the toe end and at the opposite sides of the forepart and for simultaneously tensioning them over a last in response to relative movement of the last and said clamping means heightwise of the last, and wipers spaced similarly to said toe and side straps about the forepart of the upper for laying the marginal portions of said straps inwardly over an insole on the last.

2. In a machine for lasting the foreparts of shoe uppers comprising a plurality of straps, means for clamping the marginal portions of the straps at the toe end and at the opposie sides of the forepart and for simultaneously tensioning them over a last in response to relative movement of the last and said clamping means heightwise of the last, and wipers spaced similarly to said toe and side straps about the forepart of the upper and movable relatively to the last in directions substantially normal to the edge curvature of its bottom face for laying the marginal portions of said straps inwardly over an insole on the last.

3. In a machine for lasting the foreparts of shoe uppers comprising a plurality of straps, means for clamping the marginal portions of the straps at the toe end and at the opposite sides of the forepart and for simultaneously tensioning them over a last in response to relative movement of the last and said clamping means heightwise of the last, wipers spaced about the forepart of the upper similarly to the toe and side straps for laying the marginal portions of the straps inwardly over an insole on the last in position to adhere to the insole, and means for progressively increasing the pressure of the wipers on the marginal portions of said straps during their inward movements.

4. In a machine for lasting the foreparts of shoe uppers comprising a plurality of straps, means for clamping the marginal portions or the straps at the toe end and at the opposite sides of the forepart and for simultaneously tensioning them over a last in response to relative movement of the last and said clamping means heightwise of the last, wipers for wiping the marginal portions of the toe and side straps inwardly over an insole on the last, a member movable by the operator to operate said wipers, and means operative in response to such movement of said member for progressively increasing the pressure of the wipers on the margins of said straps during their inward movements.

5. In a machine for lasting the foreparts of shoe uppers comprising a plurality of straps, means for clamping the marginal portions of the straps and for tensioning them over a last in response to relative movement of the last and said clamping means heightwise of the last, wipers for wiping the marginal portions of said straps inwardly over an insole on the last, a toe support for applying pressure to the shoe in a location opposite the top of the forepart of the shoe progressively to increase the pressure of said wipers on the straps during their inward movements, and a member movable by the operator to operate said wipers and toe support.

6. In a machine for lasting the foreparts of shoe uppers comprising a plurality of straps, means for supporting the forepart of a shoe upper by clamping engagement with the marginal portion-s of the straps at the end and at the opposite sides of the forepart, wipers located in spaced relation about the forepart of the upper for wiping the marginal portions of the straps inwardly over an insole on a last, and means for moving the last heigthwise relatively to said wipers and clamping means to tension the straps and to position the last in operative relation to said wipers.

7. In a machine for lasting the foreparts of shoe uppers comprising a plurality of straps, a support for the margin of the upper, members spaced about the end of the upper and movable relatively to said support to clamp the marginal portions of the straps on said support, Wipers spaced similarly to said clamping members for wiping the marginal portions of said straps inwardly over an insole on a last, and a holddown for moving the last by engagement with the bottom face of the insole heightwise relatively to said wipers and clamping members to tension the straps and to position the last with the bottom face of the insole substantially in the plane of the wipers.

8. In a machine for lasting the foreparts oi; shoe uppers comprising a plurality of straps, a support for the marginal portions of said straps, members spaced about the forepart of the upper similarly to said straps for clamping the marginal portions of the straps on said support, a holddown for moving a last relatively to said clamping members in a direction heightwise of the last to tension the straps, and wipers spaced similarly to said clamping members for laying the margi-nal portions of said straps inwardly over the bottom of the last at the end of the strap tensioning operation. v v

9. In a machine for lasting the foreparts of shoe uppers comprising a plurality .of straps, means for supporting the forepart of the shoe upper by clamping engagement with the marginal portions of the straps, means for effecting relative movement of alast'and said clamping means heightwise of the last to cause said clamping means to tension the straps over the last, a flexible elastic apron for conforming the straps tightly to the contour of the last in response to such relative movement of the last and. said clamping means, and Wipers located in spaced relation about the forepart of the upper for laying the marginal portions of said straps in wardly over an insole on the last.

10. In a machine for lasting the foreparts of shoe uppers comprising a plurality of straps, means for clamping the marginal portions of the straps and for tensioning them over a last in response to relative movement of the last and said clamping means heightwise of the last, a flexible elastic apron arranged to extend across the top of the forepart of the last and to be tensioned in response to such relative movement of the last and said clamping means to conform the straps tightly to the contour of the last, and wipers spaced similarly to the straps about the forepart of the upper for laying the marginal portions of the straps inwardly over an insole on the last and for pressing them into position to adhere to the insole.

11. In a machine for lasting the foreparts of shoe uppers comprising a plurality of straps,

means for supporting the forepart of a shoe upper by clamping engagement with the marginal portions of the straps at the end and at the opposite sides of the forepart, a holddown for depressing a last into the clamped upper to tension the straps over the last, a flexible elastic apron arranged to extend across the top of the forepart of the last and to be tensioned in response to depression of the last and to conform the straps tightly to the contour of the last, wipers spaced similarly to the straps about the forepart of the upper, and means for operating said wipers to lay the marginal portions of said straps inwardly over an insole on the last in position to adhere to the insole at the end ofthe strap tensioning operation.

12. In a machine for lasting the foreparts of shoe uppers comprising a plurality of straps, a

fiat plate for supporting the margins of said straps, said plate having formed therein a lastreceiving opening shaped to correspond substan tially to the edge curvature of the bottom face of the forepart of a last, members spaced about said opening for clamping the marginal portions of said straps outspread over said plate, means for effecting relative movement of a last and said clamping members heightwise of the last to tension the straps, and wipers for wiping the marginal portions of said straps inwardly over I an insole on the last at the end of the straptensioning operation.

13. In a machine for lasting the foreparts of shoe uppers comprising a plurality of straps, a flat plate for supporting the margins of said straps, said plate having formed therein a lastreceiving opening shaped to correspond substantially to the edge curvature of the bottom face of the forepart of a last, members spaced about said opening for clamping the marginal portions of said straps outspread over said supporting plate, a holddown for depressiong a last into the clamped upper to tension the straps over the last, a flexible elastic apron extending across said opening for conforming the straps tightly to the contour of the last in response to the depression of the last, and wipers for wiping the niarginalportions of said straps inwardly over an insole on the last at the end of the straptensionin operation.

14; In a machine for lasting the foreparts of shoe uppers comprising a plurality of straps, a fiat plate for supporting the marginal portions of said straps, said plate having a last-receiving opening formed therein shaped to correspond substantially to the edge curvature of the bottom face of the forepart of a last, wipers spaced about said opening and arranged by engagement with the outer edge faces of said straps to locate the upper in predetermined lengthwise and widthwise relation to said opening, means for clamping the marginal portions of said straps with the upper thus positioned by the wipers and for tensioning the upper over a last in response to relative movement of the last and said clamping means heightwise of the last, and means for operating said wipers to lay the marginal portions of said straps inwardly over the bottom of the last at the end of the strap-tensioning operaion.

15. In a machine for lasting the foreparts of shoe uppers comprising a plurality of straps, a fiat plate for supporting the marginal portions of said straps, said plate having formed therein a last-receiving opening shaped to correspond substantially to the edge curvature of the bottom P tively to said clamping means heightwise of the last to tension the upper and to position the last in operative relation to said wipers, and means for operating said wipers to lay the marginal portions of said straps inwardly over an insole on the last at the end of the strap-tensioning operation.

16. In a machine for lasting the foreparts of shoe uppers comprising a plurality of straps, a flat plate for supporting the marginal portions of said straps, said plate having formed therein a last-receiving opening shaped to correspond subs'ta'ntially to the edge curvature of the bottom face of the forepart of a last, wipers spaced about said opening and arranged by engagement with the outer edge faces of said straps to locate the upper in predetermined lengthwise and widthwise relation to said opening, a carrier for each of said wipers, vmembers mounted on said carriers for clamping the marginal portions of said straps outspread over said supporting plate with the upper thus located by the wipers, a holddown for depressing a last into the clamped upperto tension the straps and to locate the last in operative relation to said wipers, and means movable by the operator to operate said clamping members and thereafter to impart to the carriers at the end of the uppertensioning operation movements toward the last in directions substantially normal to the edge curvature of its bottom face to cause the wipers to lay the marginal portions of said straps inwardly over an insole on the last.

17. In a machine for lasting the foreparts of shoe uppers comprising a plurality of straps, a support for the marginal portions of said straps, members spaced about the fo-repart of the upper for clamping the marginal portions of the straps on said support, wipers for wiping the marginal portions of the straps inwardly over an insole on a last, means for imparting to the last a movement heightwise relatively to said clamping members to tension the straps and to position the last in operative relation to said wipers, and a flexible apron arranged by engagement with the straps at the end and along the sides of the forepart of the last to conform them to the contour of the last in response to the movement of the last relatively to the clamping members and then to hold the straps thus conformed against displacement erlatively to one another during overwiping operation.

18. In a machine for lasting the foreparts of shoe uppers comprising a plurality of straps, a flat plate for supporting the marginal portions of said straps, said plate having formed therein a last-receiving opening shaped to correspond substantially to the edge curvature of the bottom face of the forepart of a last, a flexible apron secured to said plate and extending across said opening, members for clampin the marginal portions of said straps over said plate, a holddown for depressing a last into the clamped upper to tension the straps and to cause said apron by frictional engagement with the straps to work them toward the bottom face of the last, and wipers for laying the marginal portions of the straps inwardly over an insole on the last.

19. In a machine for lasting the foreparts of shoe uppers comprising a plurality of straps, a flat plate for supporting the marginal portions of said straps, said plate having formed therein a last-receiving opening shape to correspond substantially to the edge curvature of the bottom face of the forepart of a last, a toe wiper arranged by engagement with the outer edge face of a toe strap to locate the upper in proper lengthwise relation into said opening, side wipers arranged by engagement with the outer edge faces of straps forming the'opposite sides of the forepart of the upper to locate the upper in proper widthwise relation to said opening, means for clamping the marginal portions of said straps outsp-read over said plate with the upper thus positioned and for tensioning the upper over a last in response to relative movement of the last and said clamping means heightwise of the last, and means for operating said wipers to wipe the marginal portions of said toe and side straps inwardly over an insole on the last at the end of the upper-ten sionin operation.

20. In a machine for lasting the foreparts of shoe uppers comprising a plurality of straps, a flat plate for supporting the marginal portions of said straps, said plate having formed therein a last-receiving opening shaped to correspond substantially to the edge curvature of the bottom face of the forepart of a last, a toe wiper arranged by engagement with the outer edge face of a toe strap to locate the upper in predetermined lengthwise relation to said opening, side wipers arranged by engagement with outer edge faces of straps forming the opposite sides of the forepart of the upper to locate the upper in predetermined widthwise relation to said opening, a spring-operated clamping member associated with each of said wipers for clamping the marginal portions of the straps outspread over said supporting plate with the upper thus located by the wipers, a holddown for depressing a last into the clamped upper to tension it and to position the last in operative relation to said wipers, and means for imparting to said wipers and clamping members movements inwardly over an insole on the last to cause the wipers to lay the marginal portions of said straps upon the insole in position to adhere thereto, said clamping members being arranged to yield against the resistance of their operating springs to release the straps to the action of the wipers during their inward movements.

21. In a machine for lasting the foreparts of shoe uppers comprisinga plurality of straps, supporting means for the marginal portions of said straps comprising a flat plate provided with an opening shaped to correspond substantially to the curvature of the bottom face of the forepart of a last, wipers spaced about said opening and arranged by engagement with the outer edge faces of the straps to locate the upper in predetermined lengthwise and widthwise relation to said opening, said Wipers comprising side wipers located initially in predetermined relation to said opening and a toe wiper movable relatively to said side wipers lengthwise of the upper, springoperated clamping members associated one with each of said wipers for clamping the marginal portions of the straps over said supporting plate with the upper thus located by said wipers, means for holding the toe-clamping member initially out of clamping position and for releasing it to the action of its operating spring when the toe Wiper has been moved into predetermined relation to the opening in said supporting plate, and means for thus moving the toe wiper and for controlling the timein the movement of the toe wiper when the side-clamping members are released to the action of their operating springs.

22. In a machine for lasting the foreparts of shoe uppers comprising a plurality of straps, supporting means for the marginal portions of said straps comprising a flat plate provided with an opening shaped to correspond substantially to the curvature of the bottom face of the forepart of a last, wipers spaced about said opening and arranged by engagement with the outer edge faces of the straps to locate the upper in predetermined lengthwise and widthwise relation to said opening, said wipers comprising side wipers located initially in predetermined relation to said opening and a toe Wiper movable relatively to said side wipers lengthwise of the upper, springoperated clamping members associated one with each of said wipers for clamping the marginal portions of the straps over said supporting plate with the upper thus located by said wipers, means for holding the toe clamping member initially out of clamping position and for releasing it to the action of its operating spring when the to wiper has been moved into predetermined relation to the opening in said supporting plate, and means movable by the operator first to impart to said toe wiper its movement relatively to said side wipers and to release said toe clamping member and then to release the side clamping members" fully to theaction of their operating springs, said means being further movable to operate the toe and side wipers to lay'the marginal portions of the straps inwardly over an insole on the last.

' KARL ENGEL.

CHARLES S. KINNEY. 

